Cats are Smarter than Dogs

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HERE'S WHAT I THINK

I think Cats are Smarter than Dogs and here's some of my reasons why:

- Cats are far more independent and can take care of themselves better.

- Provide adequate food and water and a cat can be left home alone for a few days while you go on vacation. Dogs can't.

- Cats can be toilet trained.

- Dogs will take a command, cats do as "they" please.

- Cats give themselves a bath.

- Although a dog will offer you safety, a cat will protect itself.

So... What Do You Think?

Are cats really smarter?

I have stated my case for why I think cats are smarter than dogs, you may SPEAK here. Tell me if you agree or disagree and tell my why you feel that way.
This section is for comments only. You can leave a link to an online article or lens that proves your point in the plexo below.

This is an open debate and all comments pro or con are welcome. HOWEVER, this is a g-rated site and any and all profanity will be deleted immediately. That goes for both foul-mouthed dogs and cursing cats!

Cats are Smarter than Dogs

Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

I agree, cats are smarter!

Helen says:

Cats are smarter because they can do a lot of things that dogs can't do, and cats can learn things for themselves while dogs have to be trained to do some smart moves. Cat's can take themselves on walks, clean themselves, protect themselves and they don't mess around. Some people say that cat's are ignorant and like to be alone, well just because some cats are like it doesn't mean all of them are. I have two cats and they always come up to me. They get me up in the morning instead of having an alarm clock, and if one of them see's someone outside she makes a growling noise somehow.

Posted December 01, 2009

vernon says:

winston churchhill said dogs look up to humans and cats look down on humans

Posted November 15, 2009

massie block says:

Cats are like the kuh-utest so they hav 2 b da smah-test! BTW I am a alpha!!

Posted October 20, 2009

charliepea says:

Cats are smarter in the intelligent department. My cat does something very irritating and makes me want to go ballistic with my water gun on her. If she meows to let me know she wants to go outside(she's at the door doing this), and I don't notice,or am busy and not moving fast enough, she starts scratching the crap out of my sofa, mind you while looking at me.A dog will cower when scolded, but a cat will suffer the consequences and be about their merry business, which is they have gotten their way.

Posted October 11, 2009

Warren B says:

Just from observing how I use the door handle, my cat will attempt to open the door by jumping up and hanging on the door handle to turn it. When he wants out, he just tries to do it himself....amazing!

Posted October 03, 2009

SafetyKills says:

My cat opens doors, while my dogs run through them. :)

Posted September 21, 2009

deeptiabhay says:

Cats are very cuddly and loving pets. The best part is they can take care of themselves and no need to leash them and take them for loo,and walks. They come to you when ou need them and responsible enough to are not a liability.

Posted September 14, 2009

Chelsea =] says:

I think that cats are smarter then dogs, But then again I have always been a cat person even though i love dogs almost as much as cats. Many people have stated that cats are not as smart because they won't protect their owners in an emergency. 1. That is a misconstrued belief, I have read many stories about cats saving their family. 2. Even if cats didn't protect the owner, that in some cases can be proven as them indeed being smarter seeing as how they know they don't stand a chance against the foe. Another thing is that many "dog lovers" believe that cats cannot be taught tricks. That is very wrong. I myself have a cat that can perform tricks on demand and I have also met many other felines that can do the same. Yet, it is also very much depends on the specific animal...and even professionals cannot come to a conclusion on this topic. Some dogs are smarter then cats and I definitely don't doubt that. I respect all opinions of any others BUT I think it is pathetic how some people think that just by saying " cats are retarded, get real." (and that was actually quoted on what someone said below) they prove a point. I also think that if they think that is somewhat intimidating or proves a real lot, get a life. It doesn't. In fact I think that if you are really that immature to say that then cats and dogs alike are smarter then you. In fact I'm sure you don't even have the brains to play fetch.

Posted August 27, 2009

BigTugger says:

Cats are smarter in general, but dogs make better pets. However, it is kinda funny to discuss actually intelligence in creatures that don't have any. Animals are instinctual and can be trained or taught, but cannot truly use reason to solve problems. There are a few rare cases of animals appearing to use reason, but very few. And it is funny most cats can't find their way home, but dogs can. So I guess it's all in personal preference and experience.

Posted August 11, 2009

Troy says:

I just want to clear something up. Many of those on the dog side claim that cats are loners and will not comfort you and that cats cannot follow commands or do tricks (or at least they can't understand that doing a trick will get them a possible reward).

These presumptions are false. Cats can be very social, loving and supportive as well as being able to follow complex commands. Yes, that's right cats can do tricks.

Cats most definitely understand commands, even complex instructions and will follow them if they care to. Once I told my kitty, Cali, "If you go get your string-toy from the other room I will play with you" while she was laying in the living room floor. She jumped up, ran through the house, found her toy and brought it to me. This is just one example, but I could name many instances just like this one (and not all involving toys).

Also, my cats know when you are down and will be very affectionate during these times. Yeah, some cats may be more distant or "loners," but in my experience kitties are social and friendly. All of my cats ( I have 5 right now ) like to hang out around people and Bamboo (my only male cat) in particular follows me around most of the time when I go outside, watching everything I do in the garden.

Posted August 10, 2009

DAnnieB says:

I want to say it depends on the individual dog or cat because I saw (once) a really smart dog on television..... I prefer dogs but cats, I am sorry to say, are smarter than dogs.

We had a cat who thought he was a dog, he used to go with us when we walked our dogs -- but he was just so much more intelligent than the dogs, it was clear he was a cat, even to the dog.

Our cat opens the door for our dog, who has yet to figure out how you do that ...

Again, I prefer dogs but in general, they just don't seem as bright.

Posted August 07, 2009

Lisa says:

Discovery Channel did a special on animal intelligence (can't remember how many years ago) and, they rated the following in terms of most intelligent (first, second and third). Cats, Horses and then dogs. It's important to note that all are extremely intelligent. Whales and dolphins win the contest and African Grey Parrots have mind blowing intelligence. All creatures are different therefore, it's difficult to pick. But, I have two cats and love their independence and wild intelligence. However, I've had dogs and know that they are very intelligent as well.

Posted August 06, 2009

Jen says:

Both cats and dogs are smart in their own way, however, I'm voting for cats. To the person who said cats aren't there for you if you're lonely or sad....you've obviously never had a cat. Every cat I've been owned by is there for me if I'm feeling bad, physically or emotionally. They know when something's wrong and know that sitting on my lap and purring is a great pick-me-up. Also, one of my cats recently saved our house by finding and leading me to a gas leak. I'm not saying he knew what a gas leak meant of course, but he knew something was wrong and knew to alert me to it. If that's not intelligence, I don't know what is.

Posted August 03, 2009

Lizziebhg says:

Actuality cats will provide you safety! Cats are actually very fierce! And very quick! Dogs might provide you safety, but if they get to close to a robber they might have a gun and bye bye doggy! But a cat could sneak up and jump on his\her head and why would someone point a gun at their head? So bye bye robber! And dogs are not smarter cause the do tricks! It just proves that they are like machines! Machines do what humans command! And thats what dogs are like, MACHINES! All you dog lovers think they are smarter cause they do tricks for your amusement! and one of the dog lovers said "Well dogs do tricks, cats don't! And its not cause they don't want to." He is practically saying cats cant do tricks cause they are stupid! And yes cats do tricks, for themselves! My cats open doors, for themselves! And they clean themselves! Dogs have to be cleaned by man! Yes cats rule dogs drool which is true! They do drool! On everything! I have made my point!

Posted July 30, 2009

elizabeth says:

all you dog lovers that think dogs are smarter cause they do tricks they are all wrong cats dont do tricks cause they don't want to be circus monkeys! Geese you people!And cats dont do tricks cause they dont want to be brain washed! they do tricks for themselves! Not for humans to watch! My cats open doors cause they want o get inside! Geese dont buy a dog cause you want to teach it tricks! Just teach them not to poop on the floor! Dogs are like machines! They do what the human wants them to do! Like robots they don't think for themselves! A human programed them! and that is kind of what humans are doing to dogs! Don't love a dog for what you can teach it! love it for who your dog is! geese! Dont people understand this! Dogs shouldn't be trained tricks for amusement! Oh and dogs cant read once again loke on my haley thing, DONT BE DUMB!

Posted July 30, 2009

elizabeth says:

A cat has saved someones life! So don't be going around saying "Well have you ever heard of a cat save someones life?!" they will think they caught you there, bu say "Yes! What you think a cat cant be a hero?!!" You just out-smarted them! So you reversed the conversation! The didn't out-smart you! You out-smarted them! And dogs cant rule the brain department! Because cats brains are similar to a humans brain! And they feel the SAME emotions as a human not dogs! So how can they be the ruler of the brain department? Cats are waaaaaaay better! ( :

Posted July 29, 2009

Haley says:

Cats rule dogs drool! Besides a cat has saved someones life! Don't be dumb! CATS RULE!

Posted July 29, 2009

Hayley says:

Studies at universities show that cats have more complex brains and are smarter than dogs, hyenas, and bears. So, it's basicly been proven. However, all of these animals are very smart in different ways, and it is hard to compare them. But most experts agree that cats have the most well-developed and complex brains out of these carnivores.

Some things that these people have said that are wrong:

A cat couldn't protect a human even if it wanted to: WRONG. Cats have attacked robbers and criminals, amd have seriousley injured them. Cats fight quickly and feircly. They are so fast that many animals wouldn't even be able to get a hold on a them.

Cat's don't do tricks for people because they don't understand: WRONG. The reason cats do not do tricks for people is because they don't have the gene that makes them want to please. Dogs are pack animals, and have evolved with the desire to please the pack leader. Cats, on the other hand, are more dominant animals and don't take orders.

cats can't provide their own safety; in a fight dogs would always win hands down : WRONG. It has been proven that, if the cat was the same size as the dog, the dog wouldn't stand a chance. Cats have more muscular, powerful front limbs, stronger jaws, and are much, much faster.

There are many, many other things that these dog fans have said that is wrong. I could prove all of these people wrong, but I'm getting bored..... Anyway, science has proved that cats are, overall, smarter then dogs.

Posted July 25, 2009

kkimmies says:

i agree 150%. we are owned by three extremely intelligent cats. would not own a dog for any amount of money. our cats are so smart, they know how to get me out of bed at 5am.

Posted June 07, 2009

Roxanne says:

My cats intelligence beats out any dog!

Posted June 02, 2009

StephanieB-Writer says:

Cats are smarter. The way that we judge animals is based upon what they can do for us. While this may make them lovable or useful, it doesn't necessarily make them smarter. Think about people you know that do everything you tell them, are they smarter? Also cats can live easily on thier own while dogs have a harder time and are more reliant on us. Cats are the only pets we have that live with us because they want to and not because they would have a hard time living on their own. Plus my kitty is cute and I love him lol.

Posted May 30, 2009

Askur says:

There are some cats (like with people) that are dumber. But in general, yes!

Posted May 28, 2009

jkl says:

Definitely cats are much much better! Dogs are really bad, dummy animals.

Posted May 23, 2009

FlashAllen says:

We have a cat that can open doors by himself so cats are smarter but dogs are smart too.

Posted April 27, 2009

drresearch says:

Cats most certainly. I'm not just saying it cause I have 2 cats myself,I'm saying it cause They've trained me well.

Posted April 11, 2009

Otto says:

Cats are smarter because:

When they fall in the air they have the sense to flip around and land on their paws.

Dog eat things that will get them sick and in trouble and maybe kill them. Cats do not eat anything but food.

Cats clean themselves. Dogs has to be cleaned by man.

Cats can fend for them selves while you go on vacation, you have to put a dog in a kennel.

Cats dig their poop down, man has to go clean up after dogs.

Cats are very easy to potty train, dogs are not.

Dogs drool like crazy, a cat never drool.

Dogs stay if they are abused, cats will find a new home.

Dogs run away if not fenced in and cats roam and come back.

Posted March 29, 2009

sparky says:

so, licking your filthy fur is "bathing yourself?" Okay, great, yeah that's totally intelligent (and not just instinct, no way). The coughing up of furballs is the final proof of such intelligence.

Posted March 22, 2009

dc64 says:

Any animal that bathes themselves are smarter.

Posted March 22, 2009

calconcrete says:

Cats RULE! Dogs DROOL.

Posted March 20, 2009

kkc says:

true

Posted March 17, 2009

mbrownauthor says:

I have 8 cats, and yes, they are smarter than dogs!!!!

Posted March 03, 2009

rms says:

Yes Juneau, but Cats bury theirs.

Posted February 25, 2009

seegreen says:

I do think they are both smart and it does depend on the breed. Cats can be trained to do a lot of things, most people just don't bother or don't realize. Maybe that means the cats are smarter than humans.

Posted February 21, 2009

mysticmama says:

Kitty Wompuss and I both agree that cats are definately smarter...Kitty Wompuss uses the toilet for pee-pee's but prefers the box or outside for poo-poos, since he nevers pees in the box, it never stinks...also since he is so long...40 inches, he is able to reach up and pull down the door handle and let himself outside...

Posted February 08, 2009

zooyorkdancr says:

Cats are definetly smarter than dogs! I have one of each and sometimes they run around the house and chase each other (just playing), then the cat will jump on the arm of the couch and the dog will keep going forwards looking for the cat even though she was watching the cat very closely. Cats are more agile too. once there was a cord in the middle of the room and the cat went under and the second time he went over. When it came to the dog she fell over. Now that may not prove intelligence, but I still think cats are smarter than dogs.

Posted February 05, 2009

Ethan says:

I'd say that, from the look of it, most people who commented saying dogs are smarter probably haven't ever owned a cat. I'm pretty sure cats are smarter than people in many senses. They certainly have a reason to be so dignified- the cat is graceful, while the dog is ungainly. Cats will very rarely eat garbage or carrion, whereas dogs will eat these all the time when scouring the trash for food- did I mention cats can hunt? Oh, and one more thing: How many cats do you see hissing and attacking bystanders? I thought so. I'm not saying dogs are plain stupid- just that cats tend to be smarter.

Posted January 27, 2009

Newton Bass says:

LOL I can't spell worth anything but that was my two cents

Posted January 21, 2009

Newton Bass says:

Over and over again the dog lovers come back to the fact that
dogs can memorize commands and cats can't. Well this is simply
not true. There are cats that do tricks just like dogs they are
just less commen That fact is due the independent nature that cats a
as a species have while dogs are more dependent on humans. It's not
that one is smarter than the other it's just a difference in the
mental aspects of cats and dogs.

Posted January 21, 2009

airic says:

Cats are more curious, picky about there food where as dogs could care less about what they eat and dogs are not curious eat sleep and drink thats a dogs life..... if one was to evolve into a smarter species it would indeed be the cat.

Posted January 21, 2009

ktbell says:

It doesnt take a smart person to train a dog, but it sure takes a smart person to train a cat....dogs are dumb, I love em but they are dumb

Posted January 16, 2009

jelly says:

cats any day of the week.

Posted January 13, 2009

ktbell says:

I say to MariAnn that I watched your vid on youtube and if its Lucy, then that is a clever dog...she thinks she a cat (climbing trees to fetch her ball)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohqdSeOK59Y -- My Dog is Smarter than Your Cat!

Posted January 11, 2009

ktbell says:

Sandyspiders cat that thought it was a dog has regressed. My cat thinks shes a lion-now THATS a smart cat.

Posted January 11, 2009

ktbell says:

I sy Kevin also shits in the house, so either he is dumb or cats are as clever or cleverer that human (especially Kevin)!!!!:0

Posted January 11, 2009

ktbell says:

Eleanor cant be that clever as she thinks dogs are cleverer than dogs. This proves the arguement that cats are cleverer than dogs!!!!:)

Posted January 11, 2009

vik04 says:

cats are definitely smarter, u can show how to open the door to cat once-and he (she) knows how to do it now for sure, but dogs are need to be trained to do it. Cats learn how to open closets and lockers without us even showing them it.

Posted January 08, 2009

Jack2205 says:

Cats are smarter than dogs, but dogs can be used to track people, lead the blind, alert deaf people to sounds, and other jobs so they are both smart.

Posted January 07, 2009

Darian Wilson says:

cats are smarter than dogs. they do what they want and they some love in many ways dogs can't. for example, dogs can't lay on your lap and purr when their happy. cats show love by doing just that.

Posted January 07, 2009

JOOLS says:

I think cats r smarter than dogs because onece my cat spelled my name with blocks

Posted January 04, 2009

Jodi_k says:

Cats are smarter. My cat recognizes my footsteps when he hears me coming up the stairs (I live in an apartment), he's self-cleaning, and he doesn't need to be walked in the rain.

Posted December 24, 2008

No way, dogs rule in the brain department!

VirpZ says:

Dogs need more space, more food etc, you can't say that cats are smarter I have a rotweiller that is not the smarter dog but he killed 40 cats already so cats are dumb. No, I never trainned my dog to kill cats, only humans that invaded our territory

Posted November 27, 2009

N3z1yn says:

This is not true. I have a dog and a cat and they are both too smart for their own good for example my cat will open the trash door so the dog can unleash her rage on the apartment, mind you they only do this when we have left to quickly or they are stressed. My dog does tricks but my cat doesn't because I just don't take the time. My cat and dog kno when I'm sad or angry and they both comfort me in the cutest ways too. My cat knew how to use the kitty box with out training, my dog knows how to wipe her paws after she goes out side. My dog figured out how to roll down the window in my car now she taps it when she wants it down more to let me know to unlock the safety. My cat will respond by meowing when she wants anything my dog shows me because she knows she is not allowed to bark inside unless Its a warning. My cat will eat by her self and my dog will pick her food and eat with people she'll even hide her food for later. My dog memorized what time I get up so she knows when to get off the couch and not get caught, my cat scratches the sofa when she's not getting enough attention. My cat will stay away from new people so she doesn't get snatched up, my dog will investigate until she knows I'm safe. My dog will also let me know if some one is near us outside in the dark. She can hear both me and my husband's trucks pull in the parking lot and she'll wait to greet us. The cat also waits with the dog. My cat will go every where with me and she cries if i take her big dog away and veseversa. My animals are both smart I've meet other animals that had shit for brains. The smarter they are the more trouble they will be! And since I can not pick neautral I will have to pick dogs since this topic is about how cats are smart and dogs are not which is not true because they both are smart in many different ways.

Posted October 28, 2009

Lalaloo ba says:

That is so not true. Dogs can get toilet trained too and it is independent if you train it like that and get a special breed. My dog actually Doesn't take command does whatever which is weird but yea... Not allllll dogs are like that... :( Cats cannot take baths by itself... If u mean lick of course both do. And if you have a persian they get hair-balls....

Posted October 20, 2009

Mattison Gore says:

I don't like dogs, I like cats. But when you show me a cat that can heard sheep, a cat that can sniff out cocaine in a sealed package and differentiate it from talcum powder, a cat that can locate a man trapped several feet under an avalanche, or a cat that will jump through rings, play dead, and get in the back of the car when ordered, then your argument may gain some ground. Just because dogs tear up a house when left alone, and don't 'bury' their waste, does not make cats superior in intelligence. Your notion is quaint, but not very well thought out. How old are you?

Posted October 18, 2009

Kenzie D says:

I diss agree I think dogs are smarter that cats because
- they understand us and do what we tall them to do
- dogs can be left alon just as long as cats if you have a doogie door and a ato feeder and waterer
- dogs are less idependent becuse there pack animals

Posted October 11, 2009

Tara N. says:

All of your arguments have to do with hard-wired instincts, not intelligence on any significant level, which is the ability to ADAPT.

- So you would argue that a five-year-old child is dumber than a fish because she can't be left home alone for a few days and a fish can? The reason dogs couldn't be left home alone isn't because they would die in three days without a human to tell them to eat, drink, and sleep when needed. It's because most dogs get anxious when their pack vanishes for three days straight without them and can be destructive. Or they may simply get bored and unleash their energy on the furniture. Or it may simply be because humans tend to limit a dog's freedom, while they allow cats to come and go as they please. If your dog is chained up outside while you're gone, it's not the dog's fault that she can't eat or drink, and it certainly doesn't make her less intelligent than the cat who can easily reach his food.

- Dogs can be toilet trained too. As a matter of fact, most people potty train their puppies. I don't get this. Do you think no dog learns not to eliminate in the house? And if you're referring to litter boxes, my Chihuahua uses the litter box, so dogs CAN be toilet trained in that regard. A lot of people just prefer not having a stinky litter box in their house, or don't even think outside the box (no pun intended) and don't consider litter training their dog. Also, this behavior comes naturally to cats because of INSTINCT, not because they figured that burying their poop in a box is smarter than eliminating outside. I would also like to point out that more than 60% of cat owner complaints have to do with IMPROPER ELIMINATION IN THE HOUSE.

-First of all, taking commands doesn't make you less intelligent. Second of all, not all dogs take commands like robots. Just do some research on sight hounds and a host of other dog breeds. Third of all, cats will take a command too. They will do what they can for a tasy treat, and this includes fetching, sitting, playing dead, rolling over, what have you. However, they are incapable of performing more complex tricks, or with the precision of dogs because they cannot learn as many commands as dogs and aren't as eager to learn new things. This is simply due to their solitary nature. They didn't evolve to have a complex communication system or to read others as well.

-Okay, this third reason is just laughable. What does bathing have to do with intelligence? Anyhow, cats don't give themselves "baths." They lick themselves. This is an instinct. My Chihuahua often licks his fur too. I don't find it "smart" or impressive in any way.

-I would say your last reason just makes dogs nobler from an anthropomorphic perspective. There are plenty of intelligent people who would risk their lives for the ones they love rather than save themselves. People who run away are called cowards. Ever heard the term "fraidy cat"? There's a reason for it.
But that would be anthropomorphism. I would argue that, once again, cats don't save us because it's not one of their instincts or drives. Why would an animal that evolved to be solitary risk its life for another animal (except in some cases of a mother with kittens)? It doesn't make any sense. However, dogs are social creatures, so they want to protect their packmates.

Dogs and cats are just different, with dogs, as animals that evolved to be social, being more like us. However, since science has shown that naturally social animals are generally more intelligent than solitary animals, who don't need as much intelligence as animals that have to deal with other individuals on a daily basis, I would say that dogs are smarter than cats.

Posted September 19, 2009

Lance says:

Dogs are definitely smarter than cats. Dogs have the intellectual capacity of a human toddler (in some cases a 5-7 year old), and the social skills of a teenager. They can learn commands and do simple counting/arithmetic. They can learn a good amount of words also. No wonder dogs have been co-existing with humans for 14,000 years. Our canine friends are the descendants of domesticated wolves. No wonder they're man's best friend!

Posted September 18, 2009

sharon says:

i think they are both smart but dogs are smarter than cats they can do the same as cats and obay there master and do tricks too. they can also pretect homes if someone came to hurt its master.that is what i think.............

Posted September 17, 2009

Cathater says:

Cats are the stupidest animals on the planet, there owners are just weird. Did you see that hoarders episode with the cat lady? They found 30 dead cats.......thirty dead cats. Her house smelled like cat pee so bad that the neighbors complained. Once potty trained dogs rarely pee indoors just like cats. But when the dogs has a random accident it doesn't pee all over your clean clothes. Also, Cats do whatever they freaking want. Oh, are those your plants up on the ledge there? Yeah thats what I thought, I'll do what i want i am a free spirit so I will knock down your plants and then go pee on your clothes. What exactly is the cat gonna protect itself from? A FREAKING DOG thats what!!!!!!!!! How can a cat take care of itself better? I really want to know. Please someone please cite specific examples cause I can't freaking think of any. How about the bath thing? Yes, a cat cleans itself regularly....with its mouth. You know what i have seen every cat on this planet do at one time or another? Eat a turd nugget from its litter box. Yeah then it licks the stank taste out of its mouth all over its body. The only thing a cat is able to do better than a dog is look at fish in an aquarium...thats it. Worst argument ever, for every "positive" for the cat argumentI can make three for the dog argument....try me.

Posted September 16, 2009

drbuzz0 says:

Dogs are considerably smarter. That's not my opinion, that is fact. In terms of cognitive ability they simply are smarter. The argument that "cats do as they please" is just a complete strawman. You can give a cat any kind of incentive and they simply will not be able to do the things a dog can in terms of problem solving.

It's not that "they do as they please." If you take a task that a dog can do but a cat will not, the cat won't do it no matter how much incentive is, because they don't have the brains to do it. If you offer them a piece of food for it and that's the only way they can get food, they'll starve to death before doing it.

The reason you can leave a cat alone is that they don't really get lonely because they barely even realize you're not there. Dogs are social animals. They don't like being cooped up all alone. They get bored. Cats don't have the intelligence to get bored. They can sit there all day looking at the wall and it doesn't bother them.

Cats do not give themselves a bath. They lick themselves. That's just an instinct. There's also nothing clean about it. They're covered in spit. How is that clean? They also shed and cough up hair balls because of their constant licking.

"Cats protect themselves" is another strawman. A dog sees danger and it causes it to begin a cognitive process. "How do I get away from this? Should I try to protect someone and get them out? What is the best response?" Cats just run from big noises and scary big things. There's no brains involved - its just instinct and reflex.

Cats do go to the bathroom in kitty litter and you can try to use that to coerce them to go in the toilet. That's again, just instinct. It's no more intelligent than the fact that moths are drawn toward lights. Dogs can actually be trained to go on command or only urinate in certain spots.

Saying "Cats are more independent" is another complete misunderstanding of how this works. Cats just sit there. Dogs do need social contact because they need stimulation and company. Fish are even more independent. So... are they super smart?

The dumbest argument people make is that dogs are so needy and do goofey things but cats never do goofey things and never need company or attention. Sure... lets apply this same thing to another couple of animals. How about chimpanzees? They're very needy, right? They get bored, they always want company, they always want to play and do things. They do very goofy and seemingly comical and dumb things. Now compare that to flies. Flies take care of themselves, they never need attention, they do everything on their own and don't do comical things. Flies never get bored.

So... by this logic, we would conclude that flies are smarter than chimps.

Posted September 13, 2009

CorenArgument says:

Dogs, like humans, are social animals. They think in terms of how they relate to others. Domestic cats are not pack animals, which is why people laugh when someone trots out the old expression, "It was like herding cats!" This is also why many people, Coren included, make a strong case for dogs being smarter, paws down.

"The reason is very simple," he says. "If you have two animals that are roughly at the same evolutionary level and roughly the same [classification]--cats and dogs are both carnivores--the one that has the more complex social structure is almost always brighter."

Pack animals have to read signals and anticipate the effect of their actions. It's kind of like being a chess player. If you look at it in human developmental terms, a dog is about equivalent to a human two-year-old, which means it knows about 260 words or signals. The average cat, meanwhile, is more like an 18-month-old, which means it knows about 50 words. The more words a creature knows and the better it's able to communicate, the more it is apt to succeed in a social environment.

It's not that cats are too regal to perform tricks or obey commands, Coren says. It's that they don't understand how to do them. They just aren't able to learn language and read social cues as well as dogs.

Dogs, on the other hand, are champs at it. Maybe this is why dogs joined human families about 14,000 years ago, while cats were first domesticated 4,500 years ago.

Posted September 11, 2009

Decolish says:

Cats for the blind? Disabled help cats? Sniffer Cats? Need I say more?

Posted September 04, 2009

Josh says:

I have both and it is clear my dog is more intelligent, its not that cats are more independent its that they don't have the complex social skills that dogs have. Cats are not clean just because they try to bathe they carry all kinds of sicknesses, dog's don't carry nearly as many so technically that would make dogs cleaner.

Posted August 24, 2009

CoolFoto says:

I think dogs are smarter, but, I never owned a cat.

Posted July 30, 2009

David Bandel says:

This isn't really open for debate. Dogs are more intelligent by more or less every definition of intelligence. They have larger brains, understand more and are more creative and capable when it comes to solving problems in general.

To respond point by point:

What you perceive as independence is pure instinct. Instinct and intelligence are more or less at odds with each other. Cats instinctively keep to themselves, hide, ambush, eat high-protein meals rarely, and hide for the rest of the time.

It's easier to toilet train something that can actually fit on the seat. Poodles can be toilet trained far easier than cats can. In order to toilet train a cat you have to slowly move the litter box closer to the toilet over a period of weeks then rig all kinds of nets and stuff to the bowl until they are doing it. A dog you can simply show how to do it and punish them a few times when they don't. They will actually LEARN to do it, rather than be conditioned to as is the case with cats.

Taking a command is the reason dogs are smarter. A cat can't even understand a command.

Self-grooming is instinct and dogs do it too. It's just that their hair is longer, they have larger bodies and since they generate more heat and wear and tear, it takes a lot more than a little tongue bath to keep them clean. It's simple mechanics, necessity, and instinct.

A dog will protect you. This is social behavior. It's semi-instinctive, but impressively adaptable since we aren't dogs yet they will incorporate us into their "pack." A cat is not smart enough to do this.

And last I checked, a dog will protect itself as well.

I'd like to repeat my initial statement: This is not a debate. This is just a silly discussion about the idea of cats being smarter than dogs. In actual REALITY, it's quite obvious to everyone that dogs are more intelligent.

Posted July 30, 2009

holyera says:

Has anyone seen the movie my dog skip? Not only do dogs have bigger brains, and can recognize so many more words, but have you seen any movies made about a person and his cat? NO! That's because Cats don't love you. They own you. I know my dog would protect me If I was in danger. A cat could care less

Posted July 16, 2009

Kim says:

They're not independent they're just loners.
Dogs could last on their own they just prefer company pretty much like most humans.
Dogs are easier to house train than cats are to toilet train an cat have no god damn bladder control.
Cats can't take commands coz they're too thick.
Dog also clean themselves but have better things to do than sit around all day and lick themselves.
And cats can't provide their own safety in a fight dogs would always win hands down but a dog isn't to selfish to just protect it's self. A cat couldn't protect you if it wanted to.

Posted July 11, 2009

zirukurt01 says:

And i have a special website

http://ctsite.piczo.com/dogloverspage

Posted April 18, 2009

zirukurt01 says:

Get lost monkeybrain!!! Dogs are "man's best friend". Forever, Cats are always a loosers!! Felines boast all animals? What a droolish felines!!!

Posted April 18, 2009

spot says:

cats are retarded, get real.

Posted April 10, 2009

lamont says:

people only say cats are smarter because they think it makes them seem more perceptive or insightful. because by any common-sense measure, dogs are clearly more intelligent, the "cats are smarter" crowd feel somehow that they are more in tune with the cats' more "subtle" intelligence. they even go so far as turn the fact that dogs do tricks into evidence of cats' superior smarts. "yeah, cats do what they want." huh? that dogs do tricks means they understand that they will be rewarded for their behavior. that cats don't do tricks means either they don't understand what's being asked of them, or they understand, but can't understand there will be a reward. as far as their independence goes, a pet spider or mouse would fare just as well as a cat if left alone. i hardly think that proves they're "smart." cats just aren't very smart.

Posted April 10, 2009

TVL says:

If your ever lonely is your cat there? NO its outside doing its own thing. Dogs are always there for you! The only cool cats I have ever met are ones that were raised with dogs!!!

Posted April 04, 2009

Spanky the Amazing says:

It's not even close, dogs are so far and away smarter that it's a silly question. The "cats are smarter" crowd always talk about how independent cats are. True, but that doesn't make them smarter; in fact, in a lot of ways, that seems to indicate that their less intelligent. A lizard would probably fare pretty well on its own as well.

That cats don't respond to commands is usually used as evidence of their superior smarts. That's just silly--it's far more likely that they don't respond because they just don't get it than because they're so cool and aloof. And even if it is (I'm firmly convinced its not) due to the latter, that doesn't really speak well to their intelligence either. After all, it would be in their best interest to please their owner, and being snotty like that certainly doesn't please the owner.

For the most part, I'd say cats are to dogs as slugs are to frogs, on the intelligence scale...something along those lines.

Posted March 27, 2009

db says:

dogs are definitely smarter than house cats. All have wolves for ancestors, and wolves are by necessity highly intelligent, due to their social nature, their cooperative hunting, etc.

Except for lions, cats are not social creatures by nature.

Aside from that, just from personal observation of cats and dogs, cats by and large seem far less capable of figuring things out (no, I'm not just talking about doing tricks)

Posted March 21, 2009

Juneau says:

RMS-Youre not understanding -dogs are NOMADIC- THEY DON"T NEED TO COVER THEIRS -THEY MOVE EVERY DAY IN THE WILD-CATS STAY PUT-THEY HAVE SMALLER TERRITORY! Cat's bury theirs out of INSTINCT - not intelligence. It is an instinctive trait inherited further down the evolutionary chain (when they became smaller.Each way has a different PURPOSE IN NATURE. Every trait for cats you listed is instinctive behavior that is "Better" for you as a pet owner- but in no way makes cat's "smarter". You are being selfish in judging one's smarts over the other based on this. As far as actual "thinking" goes - Science recognizes Humans, Great Apes, Parrots and some dogs as only animals to show level 6 Object Permanence recognition (finding intricately hidden objects)by using "reasoning" or "thinking" - not instinct. You posed the question. I appreciate both animals.

Posted March 13, 2009

tom says:

i say that was stupid!- dogs are way smarter than cats

Posted March 02, 2009

Juneau says:

True! Going to the bathroom in the same spot everyday is suicide for many animals in the wild. It's basically like saying to predators "I'll be here same time tomorrow!" It seems housecats would not fare well in the wild now that they are not as big as their ancestors and have had this trait reinforced. Smart?

Posted February 24, 2009

LaFede says:

Cat's go to te bathroom in the same spot in the wild - to mark territory. This is why they are easier to litterbox train. This is not something they "think about" however. I suspect that dogs being more nomadic in the wild means they would not always go in one place. I don't see one as being "smarter" than the other. Better for a pet owner -but let's not slight a dogs intelligence.

Posted February 24, 2009

AnnieSun says:

To FAULT a dog for "taking" a command is biased,convoluted logic! It means it can comprehend and act meaning intelligence. Animal behaviorists still marvel at dogs who, for instance, learn to help handicapped people by retrieving numerous items from around the house(phone,medicine, emergency items). Cats, and this doesn't mean I don't like them, aren't able to learn complicated tasks like these (no it's not because they choose not to).

Posted February 24, 2009

Lisa M says:

It's "CONVENIENT" for you that a cat doesn't eat all it's food at once- but not really "smarter". It's evolutional instinct. Lions/Big Cats often hunt alone in the wild and kill large animals. They share with a few other cats and return to the meal often as there is usually alot to go around. Wolves/Dogs need to hunt in large packs and share the food with many. Therefore dogs instinctively gorge their meals and cats don't fear taking their time. One isn't "smarter" than the other-they both have different uses in nature.

Posted February 24, 2009

Letsbesensible says:

Oh yeah - and here's a great "projection of intelligence" instance -"I tell my cat to do something and he's so smart he doesn't do it/ignores me.". Unhhh? Because he DOESN"T understand in the first place!!! Stop projecting emotions and intelligence onto cats. I have owned both cats and dogs and admire them both - but seeing people tack intellect onto animals that isn't there makes me doubt human intellect! Science also has proven you can "point a direction" for a dog to search for an object/travel in and it will understand(the way we give driving directions)-I have NEVER seen a cat that could do this.

Posted February 23, 2009

Letsbesensible says:

YOU NEVER SEE A SEEING EYE CAT!!! Or a police cat!!! WHY?- Science has proven dogs are smarter. The average dog knows 250 words, equal to a two and a half year old. A cat at best knows 50 words, equal to a One and a half year old. Dogs have a degree of "cogniscience" which means they can grasp that they "exist" in the world with other things (so can we). The classic test for this is covering a ball with a sheet. The dog(and a three year old) knows it can still be there (they found a way to take the smell factor out of the test). A cat will look around - so will a one year old(Playing the game "peek a boo" is a result of this). I admit cat's are cute. But much of what owners "project" on them as being smart is due to instinct ("gracefullness"-"agileness" are due to characteristics they need to hunt quietly in the wild- they do not show "intelligence" they show evolution). Border Collies are proven to be some of the smartest animals on the planet-(pigs too!. Most cat lovers I'm sorry just can't take their heart out of answering the question.(Most are women too????)

Posted February 23, 2009

Snozzle says:

No way, dogs are smarter. Our border collie often seemed to know what we were talking about, could sense when I was coming home, would 'guard' our son while he was sleeping and heaps of other things. We've got cats as well but you can't compare the relationship or intelligence.
Mike.

Posted February 08, 2009

GrowWear says:

Dogs learn. Cats just go with what knowledge they acquired through genetics. There's no personal growth with cats. Well, not as much. ;)

Posted January 26, 2009

UAEdubaidude says:

Dogs are smarter than cats. You have to remember that cats do as they please because they cant do much. Also cats cant memorize commands. Also just because cats are independent doesn't mean they are smarter. I mean look at fish all you need to do s give them food, and your not going to tell me that fish are smarter than dogs.

Posted January 20, 2009

Eleanor says:

Dogs are way more clever than dogs. dogs save lifes and you can go on shows with them. Freddy my dog is not 1 but he warns me about bad things.Sam my dog is 14 he is a guard dog he scares strangers away

Posted December 31, 2008

Margo_Arrowsmith says:

I think it depends on the breed. So, no.

Posted December 04, 2008

Kevin says:

When was the last time the police or fire departed use cats in their line of work. When was the last time mittens the pussy cat was used to track escaped convicts. When was the last time pumpkin kitty when hunting. And when was the last time puss in boots saved a child from drowning. Cats are smarted than dogs gine me a break. They shit in the house.

Posted November 26, 2008

AshleyBretting-M.S. says:

love me, love my dog :) see her at www.squidoo.com/houndsville

Posted November 18, 2008

says:

Will I don't know if their smarter but I really love dogs.

Posted November 16, 2008

sandyspider says:

Cats are very smart, but I do have to go with dogs just a bit. I did have a cat that thought he was a dog. Now that was a smart cat!

Posted November 05, 2008

peterpaan says:

dogs rule. never see a cat bringing my newspaper :D

Posted October 18, 2008

Eliss says:

Cats live completely by instinct-climbing and killing small animals-they cannot learn new things! Can cats be taught to find people under 10 feet of snow? Or guide a disabled person across a busy road? I don't think so!!! The ability to learn new things is clearly linked to intelligence-which dogs can do. Instinct is all a cat can live by and they are born with that. Cats are not clever. Dogs are extremely intelligent!!!

Posted October 16, 2008

MariAnn says:

My video PROVES dogs are smarter than cats!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohqdSeOK59Y -- My Dog is Smarter than Your Cat!

Posted October 01, 2008

luvmycatsanddog says:

On this comment by manlycatdude: Cats are smarter because they get free stuff from people and they don't have to do any tricks. Dogs aren't dumb, they're just not as smart as cats...

In this case this is a humans choice to give "free stuff" to cats without them doing tricks. This is a human choice not a cat thing.

This debate is dumb, ive only read a bunch of cat lvoers defending there pet they love not defend how smart they are. Wow you spoil your cat or let it "train" you... again a "human choice thing" not a "cats are smart" thing.

Posted September 22, 2008

DogLover says:

Oh and one more thing... saying "cats train us" ummmmm... This is a debate on cats being smarter than a dog so saying they teach you makes you as humans appear dumber than a cat. LOL

Posted September 22, 2008

DogLover says:

I think using the whole "cats are independant and can take care of themselves" as a reason for them being smarter makes the person saying it not too intelligent either... just because a cat can lay around, use a litterbox and be home for days alone doesn't make it smart. Any animal can survive, so are you saying squirrels are smarter than too since they are selfsufficient... most animals are. Small breed dogs have been taught to use the litter box aswell, and i think if people have pets they can leave for days home alone aren't real animal lovers in the first place. lol Dogs can learn so much more than cats. It still is stupid to compare the two considering both are very different mammals, one being solitary and the other a pack animal. I do think dogs are smarter though, why else would they be "mans bestfriend".

Posted September 22, 2008

Kyle says:

You people are being redicoulous. It's already been proven that dogs are smarter, but cats are right behind. You people are thinking of instinct. And the reason why dogs are dependant is because they have been taken from their enviroment! A backyard is a stray cat's enviroment, not a dog's. And cats don't do tricks for food because they don't care about the humans. Dogs are loyal, friendly, and have an unconditional love for humans. Why do you think they were the first animal to be domesticated?

Posted September 07, 2008

daniel says:

well my argument against cats being smarter is based on the fact that the primary purpose of inteligence is self preservation. Now consider the fact that if you put out a bowl of perfectly good food that will in no way harm the cat but for some reason the cat does not like it, it will starve itself instead of eating the food. Where as a dog in a similar situation will eventually eat.

Posted August 22, 2008

Fern says:

I CAN TEAR HOLES IN EVERY ONE OF YOUR REASONS. A little thought is all that is required

Posted August 01, 2008

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Is Your Cat a Lefty Or a Righty?

Which paw does your cat favor?

It may not be obvious from the scratch marks cats dish out, but domestic felines favour one paw over the other. More often than not, females tend to be righties, while toms are lefties, say Deborah Wells and Sarah Millsopp, psychologists at Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland.

However, these preferences only manifest when cats perform particularly dexterous feats. That's for the same reason we can open a door with either arm, yet struggle to write legibly with our non-dominant hand. "The more complex and challenging [the task], the more likely we're going to see true handedness," Wells says.

She and Millsopp tasked 42 domestic cats to ferret out a bit of tuna in a jar too small for their heads. Among 21 females, all but one favoured the right paw across dozens of trials, while 20 out of 21 males preferentially used the left. One male proved ambidextrous.

continue reading:

Source: Is your cat left or right pawed? - life - 24 July 2009 - New Scientist: Is your cat left or right pawed? - life - 24 July 2009 - New Scientist

Cats are Smarter than Dogs

Add a link that proves Cats are smarter than dogs.